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Spirit Showcase benefits squads

Karissa Parker, 11, receives flowers from Lexi Defeo, 14, after the Nov. 23 Spirit Showcase which she and her squad mates attended, representing the Imagine School of North Port Sharks.

PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS

By BETSY WILLIAMSCorrespondent

Published: Monday, December 2, 2013 at 10:55 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, December 2, 2013 at 10:55 a.m.

Cheerleader squads from around the North Port area showcased their talent and gained valuable tips for future performances.

The inaugural Spirit Showcase was Nov. 23 in the North Port High School gym.

Each participating squads was scored by Michelle Wetmore and Stephanie Cross with Midwest Cheer Elite in Fort Myers and Rashad Ross of Top Gun Allstar Cheerleading in Naples.

These three took turns talking to the competing squads and their coaches, giving advice and tips about their performances, spirit, builds and jumps.

"Fake it till you make it," Ross said. "You have to sell it if you want to win it."

He was talking to the North Port High varsity squad, which will go to Orlando in February along with the junior varsity squad for the UCA High School National Cheerleading Championship.

The Spirit Showcase served as a fundraiser for the two North Port High cheer squads to help with the expenses for the Orlando trip as well as an event for the younger squads around the county to show off their skills as well as view other squads.

"This is our first year doing this," said Nicole Goodrich, North Port's junior varsity coach, who also serves as assistant to varsity head coach Kayla Repass. "A showcase like this helps the squads become more at ease and familiar with competing before they move on to bigger competitions."

Instead of a registration fee, cheer squads brought canned goods that were to be donated to the local food bank. Family and friends paid an admission fee to watch the showcase. Proceeds went toward the Orlando trip.

One of the largest squads present was the North Port Mustangs. Members cheer for the Pop Warner teams in North Port.

"It is good to see so many of them," Goodrich said. "A lot of our girls started out with the North Port Mustangs right here in North Port."

<p>Cheerleader squads from around the North Port area showcased their talent and gained valuable tips for future performances.</p><p>The inaugural Spirit Showcase was Nov. 23 in the North Port High School gym.</p><p>Each participating squads was scored by Michelle Wetmore and Stephanie Cross with Midwest Cheer Elite in Fort Myers and Rashad Ross of Top Gun Allstar Cheerleading in Naples.</p><p>These three took turns talking to the competing squads and their coaches, giving advice and tips about their performances, spirit, builds and jumps.</p><p>"Fake it till you make it," Ross said. "You have to sell it if you want to win it."</p><p>He was talking to the North Port High varsity squad, which will go to Orlando in February along with the junior varsity squad for the UCA High School National Cheerleading Championship.</p><p>The Spirit Showcase served as a fundraiser for the two North Port High cheer squads to help with the expenses for the Orlando trip as well as an event for the younger squads around the county to show off their skills as well as view other squads.</p><p>"This is our first year doing this," said Nicole Goodrich, North Port's junior varsity coach, who also serves as assistant to varsity head coach Kayla Repass. "A showcase like this helps the squads become more at ease and familiar with competing before they move on to bigger competitions."</p><p>Instead of a registration fee, cheer squads brought canned goods that were to be donated to the local food bank. Family and friends paid an admission fee to watch the showcase. Proceeds went toward the Orlando trip.</p><p>One of the largest squads present was the North Port Mustangs. Members cheer for the Pop Warner teams in North Port.</p><p>"It is good to see so many of them," Goodrich said. "A lot of our girls started out with the North Port Mustangs right here in North Port."</p>